The UK has announced plans for a new Turing Program that will replace the EU’s comprehensive student exchange program called Erasmus. The 110-million-pound scheme is named after the renowned English mathematician Alan Turing.
DfE has confirmed that India, which is already a major source of foreign students for the UK, could be among the top countries to collaborate with UK universities to launch student exchange projects when bids open in March.
We are committed to ensuring that our students, especially those from poor backgrounds, can benefit from studying and working abroad. Working with the British Council, we will be opening up to young people around the world, and I look forward to seeing the exciting and enriching opportunities presented by the Experimental Scheme, said UK University Minister Michelle Donelan.
Having an active global learning agenda is more important than ever, he said. “Our world-class education is a very important part of our economy and society,” he added.
The new system, now with a new website that provides funding and application details for universities, will support students from all over the UK to take advantage of studying and working abroad from September 2021.
The program will address and provide support to students from disadvantaged families. The initiative is part of a new Global Education Program, led by DfE and DIT. Exports of UK education, such as EdTech and international education are expected to yield 23.3 billion pounds in 2018, the Minister said. The British Council will help bring this plan forward.
It is important that we help the UK’s world-renowned education industry get better by sending our best products, services, skills, and innovations around the world, he said.
The plan reflects the government’s drive to increase foreign exchange earnings, such as tuition fees and profits from overseas students and English language teaching overseas, to 35 billion pounds a year, and further employs at least 600,000 foreign students in the UK by the year 2030. Processes for facilitating and increasing job opportunities for foreign students are part of a broader strategic objective.
This approach has brought us real benefits, including the introduction of a degree course, as well as an improvement in the visa system. Despite a very difficult year, interest in studying in the UK has grown as a result, said Vivienne Stern, Director of Universities UK International (UUKi).
We especially welcome the launch of the Turing Scheme, which will create new opportunities for students at UK universities to gain valuable international knowledge. We know that these opportunities enable graduates to develop the skills needed by employers, and that the benefits are most evident for those from the poorest sectors, he said.
UK education providers are encouraged to take advantage of foreign exchange funding opportunities. The plan outlines the new International Teaching Qualification (QTS) programs for teacher training worldwide. Changes in the visa system, the new iQTS, have focused on a set of key markets that will support the UK and make it a highly viable educational institution.
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